UGB Chapter 211 Ancestor Xuan Sha
Chapter 211 Ancestor Xuan Sha
"Buzz!!!"
The energy vortex gathered on the jade platform presented a deep, dark aura that seemed capable of swallowing all light.
The vortex spun faster and faster, emitting a deep and terrifying roar, like the roar of an ancient behemoth.
Chen Xu felt like a small boat in a raging storm, pinned to the spot by an invisible force, unable to move.
He tried to retrieve the golden key that had triggered the anomaly.
But the moment his divine sense touched the jade platform, it was violently repelled by an overwhelming spatial force, causing a sharp pain to his soul.
"Damn it! What on earth is this thing trying to do?" Chen Xu felt a sense of unease.
This turn of events came too quickly and too suddenly, far exceeding his previous expectations.
He instinctively reached out to communicate with the Beast Taming Space to summon Qingling, but he forcibly suppressed the thought as soon as it arose.
This spatial storm is so violent that even if Qingling were to appear, she might not escape unscathed, and could even be swept into it, causing further damage.
As an alternate entity, his purpose is to explore and take risks.
Just as Chen Xu gritted his teeth, preparing to withstand the tearing force of this unknown storm.
It was even prepared to self-destruct this clone at any time, causing a new mutation to occur.
The imagined devastating tearing did not occur.
A beam of light suddenly fell on Chen Xu, like a gentle stream of water, carrying a strange, comforting power.
The stinging sensation in his soul caused by the impact of spatial power subsided quickly.
Instead, there is an indescribable sense of clarity.
As if cleansed by this light, my consciousness became clearer, and my perception of the surrounding space became more acute.
The light lasted for about three breaths, then receded rapidly like the receding tide, finally disappearing completely into the golden key embedded in the groove.
On the white jade platform, all the strange phenomena vanished without a trace.
The energy vortex, the deafening roar, and the blinding spatial light all subsided.
Only the golden key lay quietly in the groove in the center of the jade platform.
Its surface shimmered with a deeper, darker golden luster than before, like a sleeping star.
The power that had imprisoned Chen Xu dissipated like melting snow.
He stumbled, almost losing his balance, and looked at the key and the now-calm white jade platform with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.
"Is this... over?"
Chen Xu carefully moved his hands and feet to make sure he was unharmed.
I even felt that my soul was more refined than before.
He looked at the key with lingering fear: "It was just a false alarm?"
"Could that terrifying commotion just now have been... activated some kind of function?"
He tried to probe the golden key with his divine sense again.
This time, there were no obstacles, and my divine sense easily merged into it.
A vast and clear stream of information instantly flooded into his mind.
It turns out that this white jade platform was not a prison at all, but an extremely ancient interdimensional teleportation array!
That groove is where the control core, or "key," is placed.
The ordinary Nether Key he obtained before was merely a token to enter the outer perimeter of the Profound Vault Nether Realm.
This golden key has been enhanced by the [Dual Purpose] Hextech Rune.
By sheer coincidence, it became the "Mysterious Key" that activated and controlled this core teleportation array!
The seemingly devastating energy vortex and spatial light just now were not an attack.
Rather, it was this ancient teleportation array, which had been silent for countless millennia, that was activated by the "key".
This involves a thorough self-check, energy infusion, and deep binding process with the current spatial coordinates.
Chen Xu stood there, stunned for several breaths, before he could fully digest the massive flow of information in his mind.
An indescribable surge of joy instantly dispelled the previous fear and unease.
"The Mysterious Key... Interdimensional Teleportation Array..." he murmured to himself, his eyes shining with an astonishing light.
This is no prison! This is clearly the most treasure-filled place in the Xuanqiong Netherworld!
With a slight thought, he attempted to establish a connection with the Xuanqiong Key embedded in the groove of the jade platform.
hum...
A flash of dark gold light appeared on the surface of the key, and a gentle yet incredibly clear thought returned to Chen Xu's sea of consciousness.
He instantly "saw" the structure of the entire teleportation array:
The core jade platform is an energy hub and coordinate anchor point.
The profound runes covering it are the manifestation of the laws of spatial positioning and energy guidance.
The key is the core controller that enables and protects the transmitter.
What surprised him even more was that, through the key, he could clearly perceive two stable spatial coordinate anchor points.
Anchor point one is the enclosed space they are currently in.
This place has been deeply bound by a key, becoming the "exclusive safe zone" and "starting point" of the teleportation array.
Anchor point two is a secluded island in the sea outside Meteor City.
This means that he can not only leave this enclosed space freely, but also teleport directly from here back to the outer sea of Meteor City.
He tried to communicate the key with his mind: "Activate the teleportation to Anchor Point Two."
The key vibrated slightly, and the runes on the jade platform corresponding to the coordinates of the outer sea of Meteor City suddenly lit up, emitting stable spatial fluctuations.
A portal, allowing only one person to pass through at a time, slowly and silently unfolded beside the jade platform.
Across from the portal, a familiar seascape can be faintly seen – the sea outside Meteor City.
"It's done!" Chen Xu almost burst out laughing.
This portal was incredibly stable, without the slightest bit of violent spatial turbulence, making it a hundred times safer and more comfortable than crossing the entrance to the Netherworld before.
Moreover, he could clearly sense that as long as he had the key, he could open the spatial gate again and return to this place at any time.
Although the journey to the Mysterious Realm was fraught with difficulties, the rewards far exceeded his initial expectations.
They not only ravaged the ancient medicine garden, obtaining a vast amount of rare and precious medicinal herbs and those strange beetles.
Furthermore, they discovered this interdimensional teleportation array in this core area.
With a thought, the Xuanqiong Key embedded in the groove transformed into a stream of light and flew back into Chen Xu's hand.
"This place has reached its full potential; it's time to look elsewhere..." Chen Xu thought to himself.
This enclosed space is excellent; it serves as a perfect refuge and teleportation hub.
But deep within the perilous Xuanqiong Netherworld, even greater opportunities await.
He did not leave immediately, but sat down cross-legged and adjusted himself to his peak condition.
Although the previous traversal of spatial turbulence and the resistance to the pressure of the teleportation array's activation did not fundamentally damage him, his spiritual power and soul were significantly depleted.
The spiritual energy here is pure and abundant, making it an ideal place for recovery.
At the same time, he diverted a wisp of his mind into the Beast Taming Space to communicate with Qingling.
"Qingling, how are your injuries?" Chen Xu asked with concern.
"She's fine now," Qingling replied.
"Alright. Let's leave this place and continue exploring the Hidden Realm."
"The people of Xuan Sha Island are like maggots clinging to bones; they will never give up easily, and we must be vigilant at all times."
"Your Nascent Soul is newly formed, and your combat power is strong, but this place is unpredictable and dangerous, so don't be careless," Chen Xu warned.
"Understood," Qingling replied succinctly.
About an hour later, Chen Xu opened his eyes, his inner light shining brightly, and his condition had returned to normal.
Then, he gripped the Xuanqiong Key tightly, and with a thought, he left the place and returned to the Xuanqiong Netherworld.
However, the moment their feet touched the ground, an extremely subtle fluctuation quickly enveloped them.
"Hmph, they've come as expected!" Chen Xu's eyes turned cold, showing no surprise whatsoever.
Xuan Sha Island's reaction and tracking methods were even faster than he had anticipated.
This fluctuation originated from the same source as the aura emanating from Li Gang and the others, but it was even more difficult to shake off, clearly indicating that it was some kind of higher-level tracking technique.
"Qingling, can you sense the exact location and number of people?" Chen Xu quickly communicated in his mind.
"In the southwest direction, there is only one cultivator at the mid-Nascent Soul stage!"
Qingling's voice carried a hint of solemnity.
The fact that the Nascent Soul Demon personally took action demonstrates the importance Xuan Sha Island places on Chen Xu.
"Mid-stage Nascent Soul... It seems that Ancestor Xuan Sha has come in person this time..." Chen Xu's pupils shrank slightly, and the pressure increased sharply.
Even though Qingling is also a Nascent Soul cultivator, the opponent is a veteran Nascent Soul cultivator with extensive experience and sophisticated methods, making him no easy opponent.
A direct confrontation is too risky.
His eyes flashed like lightning as he quickly scanned his surroundings.
This place is desolate and lifeless, with a wide-open view; it is not an ideal battlefield.
He quickly located a swampy area shrouded in a thick, grayish-green miasma.
The atmosphere there was chaotic and disordered, greatly interfering with spiritual sense probing, making it an ideal location for an ambush and counterattack.
"Go!" Without hesitation, Chen Xu transformed into a pale blue streak of light that almost blended into the environment and sped off toward the miasma swamp.
Chen Xu's escape light clung tightly to the barren ground, like a shadow blending into the gray-brown background, its speed reaching its limit.
Behind him, the oppressive aura emanating from the Nascent Soul stage monster clung to him like a leech.
The distance between them did not diminish; instead, it carried a playful, cat-and-mouse-like quality, locking onto him and getting closer and closer!
"That old monster has sped up!" Qingling's clear, cold voice rang out in Chen Xu's mind, carrying a hint of solemnity:
"The distance is rapidly closing; we'll be caught in no more than half an incense stick's time!"
"That's enough!" Chen Xu's eyes showed no sign of panic.
The grayish-green miasma churned like viscous living matter, emitting a pungent, putrid odor and a dizzying toxin.
Chen Xu plunged in without hesitation.
In an instant, the field of vision was compressed to less than ten feet.
His divine sense was like being trapped in a quagmire, its range of detection greatly reduced by the chaotic energy mixed in the miasma and the interference of countless tiny poisonous insects.
"Qingling, get ready!" Chen Xu shouted, his figure flashing through the miasma before choosing a depression where a highly poisonous mud pit was hidden.
His hands moved with lightning speed, and dozens of array flags and a large number of spirit stones flew out of his storage bag.
"Illusory Mist Tracing Array, activate!" The array flags were precisely inserted into the edge of the swamp, and spirit stones were embedded into the array's core.
Amid the buzzing sound, the surrounding miasma seemed to be drawn in, becoming even thicker and more viscous.
And it began to flow erratically, forming a psychedelic area where it was even harder to discern directions.
This is the first layer of interference.
"Mysterious Yin Locking Spirit Array, deploy!" The second set of array flags fell, deeply embedded in the mud.
This formation draws upon the cold, deathly energy accumulated beneath the swamp, creating an invisible shackle of spiritual power.
Once inside the formation, a cultivator's spiritual energy circulation will become sluggish, as if carrying a heavy burden.
This is the second layer of weakening.
"Qingling, Ghost Realm!" Chen Xu's mind raced.
Without a word, Qingling appeared silently beside Chen Xu.
The little cloud in her arms swayed gently, and an invisible wave instantly spread out.
The bluish-gray ghost domain no longer dominated large areas as before, but was precisely controlled by Qingling, blending perfectly with the surrounding gray-green miasma.
The area of the ghost realm was compressed, but its intensity became more concentrated.
With the combined effects of miasma and the ghost realm, this area has become a forbidden zone for divine sense, even severely distorting and weakening the divine sense of Nascent Soul cultivators.
More importantly, the effect of the [Ghost Domain Suppressing Spirit Emblem] is already poised to be unleashed, waiting only for the target to enter its core range.
"Xiaoyun, stealth!" Qingling whispered.
The five-tailed cloud fox in his arms transformed into an almost imperceptible phantom, silently disappearing into the shadow of a clump of putrid bone grass that emitted a foul stench.
Its innate instincts were unleashed to their fullest extent at this moment. Its aura completely disappeared, making it difficult even for the Ghost Realm to detect its existence, thus becoming a deadly sentinel and ambush.
With the help of the illusion array and miasma, Chen Xu quickly retreated to a relatively dry black boulder deep in the swamp, where his aura completely subsided, making him appear as stubborn as a rock.
Just as Chen Xu finished setting up the formation, a streak of blue-black light tore through the surrounding miasma and crashed down on the edge of the swamp.
The newcomer was tall and wore a long blue-black robe embroidered with ferocious skull and demonic patterns.
His face was withered and his eye sockets were sunken, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.
He exuded a terrifying aura of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator; he was none other than the patriarch of Xuan Sha Island, the Xuan Sha Ancestor!
"Hmph, junior, you certainly know how to pick a spot!" The voice of the Xuan Sha Ancestor was hoarse and grating.
"Think you can escape the ancestor's grasp by hiding in this filthy place? How naive!"
His blood-red eyes scanned the churning gray-green miasma before him, and his divine sense surged forth like a tide.
However, just as Chen Xu had expected, his divine sense was immediately subjected to strong interference and weakening as soon as it entered the miasma area, and the range of his detection was severely compressed.
Furthermore, the feedback was chaotic, filled with false spiritual energy fluctuations and distorted images.
"A mere trick!" Ancestor Xuan Sha sneered, a hint of disdain on his face.
He has traversed the sea of meteorites for hundreds of years, what dangerous places and perilous situations hasn't he overcome?
Miasma and illusion arrays are no match for him.
He took a step forward, and the blue-black demonic energy automatically dispersed the miasma around him, ready to force its way in.
However, the moment he stepped into the range of the illusionary mist array, a sudden change occurred.
hum...
A heavy, cold, oppressive force suddenly descended; it was the [Ghost Domain Suppressing Spirit Emblem].
Xuan Sha Ancestor felt a sudden heaviness all over his body, and he fell directly from the mid-Nascent Soul stage to the early Nascent Soul stage!
"What?!" The disdain on the face of the Xuan Sha Ancestor froze instantly, replaced by extreme shock and horror.
"Domain suppression?! It can suppress a Nascent Soul realm cultivator's domain?! That's impossible!" he exclaimed in shock, his mind reeling with turbulent emotions.
This kind of domain-based divine power, which can directly suppress one's realm, is a legendary existence even in the ancient records of Xuan Sha Island.
This Foundation Establishment junior actually has such a terrifying ghost cultivator by his side?!
Just as his mind trembled violently and his cultivation level was suppressed...
"Make your move!" Chen Xu's thoughts exploded like thunder in Qing Ling's sea of consciousness.
"Woo..." A sharp fox howl erupted from the bone-rotting grass behind the Xuan Sha Ancestor.